Smugglers’ Notch Gin

Flavor Profile

Smugglers’ Notch Gin is distilled at Smugglers’ Notch Distillery, named for the mountain pass between Mount Mansfield [the highest point in Vermont mind you, and a beautiful hike] and nearby Spruce Peak. The notch is now also state park, and perhaps best known for the ski resort and ski resort town nearby.

More specifically this is Smugglers’ Notch Blend 802 Gin. On their website they describe their gin as the result of a participatory process wherein Vermont residents taste buds’ were enlisted in testing batches. The base spirit is described as grain on the label.

Tasting Notes

Right out of the bottle, it’s impressively quiet. Very sedate nose with a bit of juniper. Smugglers’ Notch Gin slowly opens up with a bit of spice and citrus.

On the palate it tastes nicely of pine-forward juniper. Coriander and angelica back the juniper up, and towards the finish there’s a slight hint of celery and fennel. The finish is moderate in length with some alcohol notes, but also some faint earthy, baking spice notes. A touch of coriander, pecan and bitter citrus. There’s a bit of astringency, in particular on the finish, and Smugglers’ Notch Gin leaves the palate somewhat dry.

Cocktails

The astringency that’s pronounced on its own goes away, particularly in mixed drinks. I thought Smugglers’ Notch Gin made a satisfying Gin and Tonic, even with tonic syrup. The pleasant juniper notes gave just enough to come through. It’s very classic and predominantly juniper forward in this preparation. I also found it to pair nicely with citrus, so I recommend the Gimlet and Tom Collins.

Even in the esteemed Negroni, you get a nice burst of juniper. This is a good mixing gin that I think most drinkers would find to be a welcome addition in their home bar. Smugglers’ Notch Gin isn’t by the books classic style, but it adds enough of those classic gin touches that bartenders should be comfortable substituting it for classic gins like Gordon’s and the like.

Overall

On the whole, I think Smugglers’ Notch Gin is a good locally distilled substitute to common juniper forward gins for those located in New England. There’s a nice juniper note that works well in most mixing applications. Although it has some rough edges, no doubt, that those looking for a gin on the rocks may notice— the dedicated Gin and Tonic drinker will be well satisfied.

Readers' Reviews

About our Flavor Diagram

In 2011 we began to look for new ways to capture the more 'objective' qualities of a gin to help
readers identify gins that may align with their particular palates. Our ratings are intended to be a
guide; however, our Pentagon (launched 2012) and our current Hexagon (launched 2016) is a way of visualizing
your own palate and how the gins readers enjoy (or don't) arise from a common set of characteristics.

Terms of Use

In reviewing a gin on this site, you agree not defame or attack the distiller/s whose gin your reviewing.
Snarky, biting or otherwise defamatory comments (in the eyes of the site owner) will be removed without
apology. We will not censor reviews from readers that comply with these terms, even
if they disagree with our reviews. Your e-mail will NOT be shared with your review, though
we require it in order to verify you're a real person. Sorry, robots.

By submitting your review you agree to publish your comments on TheGinIsIn.com and your transfer
ownership of your comments to The Gin is In.